What started as a joke on a podcast and a hashtag question to his viewers has become fully formed. Kevin Smith‘s “Tusk” is real and the first trailer was revealed at San Diego Comic-Con.
The low-budget comedy-horror film stars Michael Parks as a reclusive old man who lures podcaster Justin Long to Canada to hear him tell stories. But someone to listen to isn’t all that Parks wants.
Also read: Kevin Smith Casts ‘Tusk’ Stars in Christmas-Themed Horror Movie ‘Anti-Claus’
While his friends and family search for him, Long is subjected to Parks’ obsession with walruses, and ultimately Parks’ desire to sew him into a walrus suit.
It’s a classic mad scientist tale told through Smith’s unique storytelling vision. He both wrote and directed the story, which was conceived as a joke on his own podcast. He then asked his Twitter follows to Tweet either #yeswalrus or #nowalrus to tell him if he should pursue the project as a film. The results of that poll have culminated in this effectively weird and spooky trailer.
See video: Unfinished Documentary About Unfinished Nicolas Cage Superman Movie Gets Trailer
“Tusk” costars Johnny Depp, Haley Joel Osment, and Genesis Rodriguez. It was produced by Sam Englebardt, William D. Johnson, Shannon McIntosh, and Chris Parkinson. A24 will release the film to theaters on Friday, September 19.